South African rapper Costa Titch died hours after collapsing mid-performance at Ultra South Africa. A viral video shows Costa falling over before someone beside him lifts him. Costa stands up for several seconds before tumbling off the stage and falling in an aisle between the stage and concert-goers. 

Seemingly in distress, Costa is carried away by emergency personnel. Several hours after Costa’s harrowing fall, his family released a statement announcing his untimely death. 

Costa Titch is of Greek and Portuguese origin

Costa Titch was born Costantinos Tsobanoglou in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa, in 1995. His mother is Portuguese, and his father is Greek. 

The late rapper told Texx and the City that he came from a musically-inclined family – his grandfather sang and played the piano. Costa spent some time on the sidelines working as a dancer for Cassper Nyovest before launching his rap career. 

“It was a good introduction to the industry,” Costa said. “That was a very necessary learning experience for me. I got to see how everything works, how everything moves. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Costa’s parents avoided the limelight while supporting their son’s career. His family wrote on Instagram that death had robbed them of a ‘son, brother, and grandson’. The statement continues:

“We are thankful for the emergency responders and all those present in his last hours on this earth. As a family we are faced with a difficult time as we try to make sense of what has befallen us and ask that we be afforded time and space to gather ourselves.”

Costa faced accusations of cultural appropriation for using indigenous languages in his lyrics

Costa Titch endeared himself to South Africans by using indigenous languages in his lyrics. He told Texx and the City that embracing his country’s diversity boosted his career:

“Rapping in Zulu isn’t about exploiting the cultures around me, but rather about making music that is relatable to one of the largest communities in South Africa. Once I realized that, my brand as you know it was solidified.”

On the flip side, Costa, a white male, faced accusations of cultural appropriation: his detractors alleged that he incorporated indigenous languages in his music to cash in on the amapiano boom. 

The allegations were unfair, to say the least. Costa, though white, grew up surrounded by South Africa’s native communities in Mzansi. Costa told Texx and the City:

“I don’t go around trying to speak Zulu to people, that’s not what it’s about. I collaborate with my writers [one who is Zulu speaking] to create projects we feel accurately represent the fusion and co-existence of different cultures in SA. And I’m proud of that.”